LEAGUE REFEREES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 12

LEAGUE REFEREES.

SATURDAY'S REUNION.

MEMORABLE GATHERING

Reminiscences, music and story were features of a memorable reunion held at the Tiffin dining rooms on Saturday evening, when the Auckland Rugby League Referees' Association entertained exmembere, many of whom had been the guests of the Control Board at Carlaw Park in the afternoon. Over 50 pioneers, one of whom controlled matches 29 years ago, were included in an attendance of over 100, Mr. L. E. Bull presiding and extending a hearty welcome to the special guests ait the firat referee function of the kind held by the code in New Zealand. After the singing of the National Anthem, the chairman paid tribute to the "knights of the whistle," whose fine services down the, years 'had assisted in establishing and developing the game and a heritage in sport for present and future generations. At his call a moment's' silence was observed in respect to the memory of old members who had passed away, including Mr, Ray Fuller, a valued friend of the association.. Prominent Pioneers. The speaker; read the names of the founders of the first Referees' Association, and the following list of prominent members in early years: Messrs. Mat Hopper, Gladding, Oliphant, Stanaway, Pitts, Gittos, Laing, the Wynyard brothers, R. J. Sharrock (first delegate to the Auckland, League), A. E. Jaggs, W. Melling (the town clerk), Angus Campbell (a referee in both codes, and one of the finest exponents of match, control ever seen- in iNew Zealand), C. Morran, P. Morgan, Wentworth, ■' Hopkins, F. Chalmers, A. Ferguson, Harker, T. Cunningham, R. Benson (member of present Appointments Board), G. and R. Frater, W. Murray, T. Anderson, Linkhorn, Pullen, Tucker, Vause, D. McCrepor. McCarthy (Hawke's Bay), J. G. Jackson, Tyson, W. Knox, and many others during the war years, after, which about the 1919 period, were Tobin, A. R. Brunsden (exCanterbury, and- now "on the New Zealand Referees' Association), J. H. Eddowes, Dempsey, A. Ball, L. Neild, House (exWellington), Morris (ex-Canterburyl, L. Farrant and W. Mr. Bull, remarking that possibly some names would be missing unavoidably, referred to the presence of Mr. R. J. Stirling, an earlysecretary of the association and the national body/ Roll Call Greetings. Answering the roll call the following also were heartily- greeted: Messrs. Hooper, Wilson, Jackson, Perry. Brophy, Morgan, W. Aughton, Farrant, Chirmside, McKubrey (New Zealand Association), Holmes, C. Moore, MeLeod, Kirkland, T. Fielding, J. Clark, Gallagher, Caddy, W. Clarke, T. Carey, Frank Thompson. Ball, Vause, Knox, Tyson, Morgan, Weston, Rose, J. Ball, T. Avery, Claude Smith, E. Chapman, Ferguson, C. Thompson, J. Rukutai, Benson, Dixon, Mularvey and W. Stormont. Messrs Hooper (who refereed the match against Taranaki in 1906), W. Murray. A. Ferguson, J. Rukutai and A. Ball responded to the toast of old members, and Mr. R. H. Benson gave an informative reference to the birth and growth of the game in this city. Mr. J. G. McCowatt proposed the health of the controlling bodies, replies being made by Messrs. J. A. Redwood (New Zealand Council). Ivan Culpan (Control Board), W. Clarke (junior management), and A. Stanley (schools' committee). Mr. T. Hill acknowledged the tribute to the association extended by Mr. A. Ball.